Indolin-2-one derivatives

ABSTRACT

The present invention is concerned with indolin-2-one derivatives of general formula 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
         
         wherein 
         A is phenyl or a six membered heteroaryl group, containing one or two N atoms, selected from 
       
    
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
         
         R 1  is S(O) 2 lower alkyl, S(O) 2 NR 4 R 5 , S(O) 2 cycloalkyl, S-lower alkyl or S(O) 2 -azetidin-1-yl;
       R 4  and R 5  are independently from each other hydrogen, lower alkyl or (CH 2 ) 2 OCH 3 ; or the group A-R 1  may form together with two neighboring carbon atoms from the group   A an additional fused ring, selected from   
     
       
    
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
         
         R 2  is hydrogen or cycloalkyl; 
         R 3  is methyl or halogen; 
         n is 1 or 2; 
         X is N, N + O −  or CH; 
         --- the dotted line may be nothing or —CH 2 —;
 
as well as with a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, with a racemic mixture, or with its corresponding enantiomer and/or optical isomer and/or stereoisomer thereof.
 
       
    
     The compounds may be used in the treatment of CNS diseases related to positive (psychosis) and negative symptoms of schizophrenia, substance abuse, alcohol and drug addiction, obsessive-compulsive disorders, cognitive impairment, bipolar disorders, mood disorders, major depression, treatment resistant depression, anxiety disorders, Alzheimer&#39;s disease, autism, Parkinson&#39;s disease, chronic pain, borderline personality disorder, neurodegenerative disease, sleep disturbances, chronic fatigue syndrome, stiffness, inflammatory disease, asthma, Huntington&#39;s disease, ADHD, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, effects in arthritis, autoimmune disease, viral and fungal infections, cardiovascular diseases, ophthalmology and inflammatory retinal diseases and balance problems, epilepsy and neurodevelopmental disorders with co-morbid epilepsy.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/EP2016/076473, filed Nov. 3, 2016, claiming priority Application No. 15193437.9, filed Nov. 6, 2015, each of which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The present invention is concerned with indolin-2-one derivatives of general formula

-   wherein -   A is phenyl or a six membered heteroaryl group, containing one or     two N atoms, selected from

-   R¹ is S(O)₂lower alkyl, S(O)₂NR⁴R⁵, S(O)₂cycloalkyl, S-lower alkyl     or S(O)₂-azetidin-1-yl;     -   R⁴ and R⁵ are independently from each other hydrogen, lower         alkyl or (CH₂)₂OCH₃; or the group A-R¹ may form together with         two neighboring carbon atoms from the group     -   A an additional fused ring, selected from

-   R² is hydrogen or cycloalkyl; -   R³ is methyl or halogen; -   n is 1 or 2; -   X is N, N⁺O⁻ or CH; -   --- the dotted line may be nothing or —CH₂—;     as well as with a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, with a     racemic mixture, or with its corresponding enantiomer and/or optical     isomer and/or stereoisomer thereof.

The R¹ group and R² may have different positions on A.

Pop/02.08.2015

Now it has been found that the compounds of formula I may be used for the treatment of CNS diseases. The described compounds have been shown to reverse the L-687,414 ((3R,4R)-3 amino-1-hydroxy-4-methyl-pyrrolidin-2-one, a NMDA glycine site antagonist) induced hyperlocomotion, a behavioral pharmacodynamic mouse model for schizophrenia, described by D. Alberati et al. in Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior, 97 (2010), 185-191. The authors described that hyperlocomotion induced by L-687,414 was inhibited by a series of known antipsychotic drugs. The compounds of formula I demonstrate marked activity in this model. These findings predict antipsychotic activity for the present compounds, making them useful for the treatment of positive (psychosis) and negative symptoms of schizophrenia, substance abuse, alcohol and drug addiction, obsessive-compulsive disorders, cognitive impairment, bipolar disorders, mood disorders, major depression, resistant depression, anxiety disorders, Alzheimer's disease, autism, Parkinson's disease, chronic pain, borderline personality disorder, sleep disturbances, chronic fatigue syndrome, stiffness, antiinflammatory effects in arthritis and balance problems, epilepsy and neurodevelopmental disorders with co-morbid epilepsy.

In addition to the reversal of L-687,414 induced hyperlocomotion experiment as described above, some compounds of the present invention have been tested in SmartCube®, an automated system in which the behaviors of compound-treated mice in response to multiple challenges are captured by digital video and analyzed with computer algorithms (Roberds et al., Frontiers in Neuroscience, 2011, Vol. 5, Art. 103, 1-4; Vadim Alexandrov, Dani Brunner, Taleen Hanania, Emer Leahy Eur. J. Pharmacol. 2015, 750, 82-99). In this way, the neuro-pharmacological effects of a test compound can be predicted by similarity to major classes of compounds, such as antipsychotics, anxiolytics and antidepressants. Examples 3, 5 and 19 show similarity to atypical antipsychotics. The results are shown in Table 3.

In addition to the above-mentioned experiments, it has been shown that some of the compounds of formula I are also ENT1 inhibitors (equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 protein). Therapeutic potential of ENT1 inhibitors is directly or indirectly (via effects of adenosine and/or adenosine receptor modulation) described in the literature for the treatment of the following diseases:

autoimmune disease (US 2006/253263), cancer (WO9857643), viral infections and fungal infections (WO2004060902), neurodegenerative disease, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, psychiatric diseases, substance abuse, ADHD, depression, epilepsy, anxiety, schizophrenia (WO0168105, EP 1252910, EP1612210, WO2009018275), autism spectrum disorders (Susan A. Masinoa, Masahito Kawamura Jr., Jessica L. Cotea, Rebecca B. Williams, David N. Ruskina, Neuropharmacology, 2013, 68, 116-121, pain (WO2009062990, WO2009064497), inflammation, asthma, (US 2007213296, Inflammation research, 2011, 60, 75-76), cardiovascular diseases (Trends in Pharmacological science, 2006, 27, 416-425), sleep disorders, (Psychopharmacology, 1987, 91, 434-439), and ophthalmology and inflammatory retinal diseases (World Journal of Diabetes, vol. 1, 12-18) epilepsy and neurodevelopmental disorders with co-morbid epilepsy (ENT1 Inhibition Attenuates Epileptic Seizure Severity Via Regulation of Glutamatergic Neurotransmission, Xu et al Neuromol Med (2015) 17: 1-11, and Epigenetic changes induced by adenosine augmentation therapy prevent epileptogenesis, Williams-Karnesky et al, J Clin Invest. 2013 August; 123(8):3552-63.

Schizophrenia is a complex mental disorder typically appearing in late adolescence or early adulthood with a world-wide prevalence of approximately 1% of the adult population, which has enormous social and economic impact. The criteria of the Association of European Psychiatrists (ICD) and the American Psychiatric Association (DSM) for the diagnosis of schizophrenia require two or more characteristic symptoms to be present: delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior (positive symptoms), or negative symptoms (alogia, affective flattening, lack of motivation, anhedonia). As a group, people with schizophrenia have functional impairments that may begin in childhood, continue throughout adult life and make most patients unable to maintain normal employment or otherwise have normal social function. They also have a shortened lifespan compared to the general population, and suffer from an increased prevalence of a wide variety of other neuropsychiatric syndromes, including substance abuse, obsessive-compulsive symptoms and abnormal involuntary movements. Schizophrenia is also associated with a wide range of cognitive impairments, bipolar disorders, major depression and anxiety disorders, the severity of which limits the functioning of patients, even when psychotic symptoms are well controlled. The primary treatment of schizophrenia is antipsychotic medications. Antipsychotics, for example risperidone and olanzapine, however, fail to significantly ameliorate the negative symptoms and cognitive dysfunction.

Antipsychotic drugs have shown clinical efficacy for the treatment of the following diseases:

-   Fibromyalgia, which is a syndrome characterized by chronic     generalized pain associated with different somatic symptoms, such as     sleep disturbances, fatigue, stiffness, balance problems,     hypersensitivity to physical and psychological environmental     stimuli, depression and anxiety (CNS Drugs, 2012, 26, 2, 135-53). -   Schizoaffective disorders: includes psychotic and affective     symptoms, this disorder falls on a spectrum between bipolar     disorders (with depressive and manic episodes, alcohol and drug     addiction, substance abuse) and schizophrenia. J. Clin. Psychiatry,     2010, 71, S2, 14-9, Pediatr. Drugs 2011, 13, 5, 291-302 -   Major depression: BMC Psychiatry 2011, 11, 86 -   Treatment resistent depression: Journal of Psychopharmacology, 0(0)     1-16 -   Anxiety: European Neuropsychopharmacology, 2011, 21, 429-449 -   Bipolar disorders: Encephale, International J. of     Neuropsychopharmacology, 2011, 14, 1029-104, International J. of     Neuropsychopharmacology, 2012, 1-12; 1 of Neuropsychopharmacology,     2011, 0, 0, 1-15 -   Mood disorders: J. Psychopharmacol. 2012, Jan. 11, CNS Drugs, 2010,     2, 131-61 -   Autism: Current opinion in pediatrics, 2011, 23, 621-627; J. Clin.     Psychiatry, 2011, 72, 9, 1270-1276 -   Alzheimer's disease: J. Clin. Psychiatry, 2012, 73, 1, 121-128 -   Parkinson's disease: Movement Disorders, 2011, 26, 6 -   Chronic fatigue syndrome: European Neuropsychopharmacology, 2011,     21, 282-286 -   Borderline Personality disorder: J. Clin. Psychiatry, 2011, 72, 10,     1363-1365 J. Clin. Psychiatry, 2011, 72, 10, 1353-1362 -   Anti-inflammatory effects in arthritis: European J. of Pharmacology,     2012, 678, 55-60

Objects of the present invention are novel compounds of formula I and the use of compounds of formula I and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts for the treatment of CNS diseases related to positive (psychosis) and negative symptoms of schizophrenia, substance abuse, alcohol and drug addiction, obsessive-compulsive disorders, cognitive impairment, bipolar disorders, mood disorders, major depression, treatment resistant depression, anxiety disorders, Alzheimer's disease, autism, Parkinson's disease, chronic pain, borderline personality disorder, neurodegenerative disease, sleep disturbances, chronic fatigue syndrome, stiffness, inflammatory disease, asthma, Huntington's disease, ADHD, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, arthritis, autoimmune disease, viral and fungal infections, cardiovascular diseases, ophthalmology and inflammatory retinal diseases and balance problems, epilepsy and neurodevelopmental disorders with co-morbid epilepsy.

Further objects of the present invention are medicaments containing such novel compounds as well as methods for preparation of compounds of formula I, a combination of compounds of formula I with marketed antipsychotics, antidepressants, anxiolytics or mood stabilizers, and methods for the treatment of CNS disorders as mentioned above.

Encompassed by the present invention are corresponding prodrugs of compounds of formula I.

A common antipsychotic drug for the treatment of schizophrenia is olanzapine. Olanzapine (Zyprexa) belongs to a drug class known as atypical antipsychotics. Other members of this class include for example clozapine (Clozaril), risperidone (Risperdal), aripiprazole (Abilify) and ziprasidone (Geodon).

Olanzapine is approved for the treatment of psychotic disorders, long term treatment of bipolar disorders and in combination with fluoxetine for the treatment of depressive episodes associated with bipolar disorders and for the treatment of resistant depression. The compounds of the present invention may be combined with antipsychotic drugs like olanzapine (Zyprexa), clozapine (Clozaril), risperidone (Risperdal), aripiprazole (Abilify), amisulpride (Solian), asenapine (Saphris), blonanserin (Lonasen), clotiapine (Entumine), iloperidone (Fanapt), lurasidone (Latuda), mosapramine (Cremin), paliperidone (Invega), perospirone (Lullan), quetiapine (Seroquel), remoxipride (Roxiam), sertindole (Serdolect), sulpiride (Sulpirid, Eglonyl), ziprasidone (Geodon, Zeldox), zotepine (Nipolept), haloperidol (Haldol, Serenace), droperidol (Droleptan), chlorpromazine (Thorazine, Largactil), fluphenazine (Prolixin), perphenazine (Trilafon), prochlorperazine (Compazine), thioridazine (Mellaril, Melleril), trifluoperazine (Stelazine), triflupromazine (Vesprin), levomepromazine (Nozinan), promethazine (Phenergan), pimozide (Orap) and cyamemazine (Tercian).

One preferred embodiment of the invention is a combination, wherein the marketed antipsychotic drug is olanzapine (Zyprexa), clozapine (Clozaril), risperidone (Risperdal), aripiprazole (Abilify) or ziprasidone.

Furthermore, the compounds of the present invention can be combined with antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors [Citalopram (Celexa), Escitalopram (Lexapro, Cipralex), Paroxetine (Paxil, Seroxat), Fluoxetine (Prozac), Fluvoxamine (Luvox), Sertraline (Zoloft, Lustral)], serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors [Duloxetine (Cymbalta), Milnacipran (Ixel, Savella), Venlafaxine (Effexor), Desvenlafaxine (Pristiq), Tramadol (Tramal, Ultram), Sibutramine (Meridia, Reductil)], serotonin antagonist and reuptake inhibitors [Etoperidone (Axiomin, Etonin), Lubazodone (YM-992, YM-35,995), Nefazodone (Serzone, Nefadar), Trazodone (Desyrel)], norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors [Reboxetine (Edronax), Viloxazine (Vivalan), Atomoxetine (Strattera)], norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitors [Bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban), Dexmethylphenidate (Focalin), Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta)], norepinephrine-dopamine releasing agents [Amphetamine (Adderall), Dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine), Dextromethamphetamine (Desoxyn), Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse)], tricyclic antidepressants [Amitriptyline (Elavil, Endep), Clomipramine (Anafranil), Desipramine (Norpramin, Pertofrane), Dosulepin [Dothiepin] (Prothiaden), Doxepin (Adapin, Sinequan), Imipramine (Tofranil), Lofepramine (Feprapax, Gamanil, Lomont), Nortriptyline (Pamelor), Protriptyline (Vivactil), Trimipramine (Surmontil)], tetracyclic antidepressants [Amoxapine (Asendin), Maprotiline (Ludiomil), Mianserin (Bolvidon, Norval, Tolvon), Mirtazapine (Remeron)], monoamine oxidase inhibitors [Isocarboxazid (Marplan), Moclobemide (Aurorix, Manerix), Phenelzine (Nardil), Selegiline [L-Deprenyl] (Eldepryl, Zelapar, Emsam), Tranylcypromine (Parnate), Pirlindole (Pirazidol)], 5-HT1A Receptor Agonists [Buspirone (Buspar), Tandospirone (Sediel), Vilazodone (Viibryd)], 5-HT2 Receptor Antagonists [Agomelatine (Valdoxan), Nefazodone (Nefadar, Serzone), selective Serotonin Reuptake Enhancers [Tianeptine].

A preferred embodiment of this invention is a combination, wherein the marketed anti-depressive drug is citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro, Cipralex), paroxetine (Paxil, Seroxat), fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft, Lustral) duloxetine (Cymbalta), milnacipran (Ixel, Savella), venlafaxine (Effexor), or mirtazapine (Remeron).

Compounds can also be combined with anxiolytics such as Alprazolam (Helex, Xanax, Xanor, Onax, Alprox, Restyl, Tafil, Paxal), Bretazenil, Bromazepam (Lectopam, Lexotanil, Lexotan, Bromam), Brotizolam (Lendormin, Dormex, Sintonal, Noctilan), Chlordiazepoxide (Librium, Risolid, Elenium), Cinolazepam (Gerodorm), Clonazepam (Rivotril, Klonopin, Iktorivil, Paxam), Clorazepate (Tranxene, Tranxilium), Clotiazepam (Veratran, Clozan, Rize), Cloxazolam (Sepazon, Olcadil), Delorazepam (Dadumir), Diazepam (Antenex, Apaurin, Apzepam, Apozepam, Hexalid, Pax, Stesolid, Stedon, Valium, Vival, Valaxona), Estazolam (ProSom), Etizolam (Etilaam, Pasaden, Depas), Flunitrazepam (Rohypnol, Fluscand, Flunipam, Ronal, Rohydorm), Flurazepam (Dalmadorm, Dalmane), Flutoprazepam (Restas), Halazepam (Paxipam), Ketazolam (Anxon), Loprazolam (Dormonoct), Lorazepam (Ativan, Temesta, Tavor, Lorabenz), Lormetazepam (Loramet, Noctamid, Pronoctan), Medazepam (Nobrium), Midazolam (Dormicum, Versed, Hypnovel, Dormonid), Nimetazepam (Erimin), Nitrazepam (Mogadon, Alodorm, Pacisyn, Dumolid, Nitrazadon), Nordazepam (Madar, Stilny), Oxazepam (Seresta, Serax, Serenid, Serepax, Sobril, Oxabenz, Oxapax), Phenazepam (Phenazepam), Pinazepam (Domar), Prazepam (Lysanxia, Centrax), Premazepam, Quazepam (Doral), Temazepam (Restoril, Normison, Euhypnos, Temaze, Tenox), Tetrazepam (Mylostan), Triazolam (Halcion, Rilamir), Clobazam (Frisium, Urbanol), Eszopiclone (Lunesta), Zaleplon (Sonata, Starnoc), Zolpidem (Ambien, Nytamel, Stilnoct, Stilnox, Zoldem, Zolnod), Zopiclone (Imovane, Rhovane, Ximovan; Zileze; Zimoclone; Zimovane; Zopitan; Zorclone), Pregabalin (Lyrica) and Gabapentin (Fanatrex, Gabarone, Gralise, Neurontin, Nupentin).

One preferred embodiment of the invention is a combination, wherein the marketed anxiolytic drug is alprazolam (Helex, Xanax, Xanor, Onax, Alprox, Restyl, Tafil, Paxal), chlordiazepoxide (Librium, Risolid, Elenium), clonazepam (Rivotril, Klonopin, Iktorivil, Paxam), diazepam (Antenex, Apaurin, Apzepam, Apozepam, Hexalid, Pax, Stesolid, Stedon, Valium, Vival, Valaxona), Estazolam (ProSom), eszopiclone (Lunesta), zaleplon (Sonata, Starnoc), zolpidem (Ambien, Nytamel, Stilnoct, Stilnox, Zoldem, Zolnod), pregabalin (Lyrica) or gabapentin (Fanatrex, Gabarone, Gralise, Neurontin, Nupentin).

A further object of the invention is a combination with mood stabilizers such as Carbamazepine (Tegretol), Lamotrigine (Lamictal), Lithium (Eskalith, Lithane, Lithobid), and Valproic Acid (Depakote).

Compounds can also be combined with procognitive compounds such as donepezil (Aricept), galantamine (Razadyne), rivastigmine (Exelon) and memantine (Namenda).

The preferred indications using the compounds of the present invention are psychotic diseases like schizophrenia.

As used herein, the term “lower alkyl” denotes a saturated straight- or branched-chain group containing from 1 to 7 carbon atoms, for example, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, i-butyl, 2-butyl, t-butyl and the like. Preferred alkyl groups are groups with 1-4 carbon atoms.

As used herein, the term “S-lower alkyl” denotes an alkyl group as defined above, wherein the alkyl residue is attached via an S atom.

The term “cycloalkyl” denotes an alkyl ring with 3-6 carbon ring atoms.

The term “halogen” denotes chlorine, iodine, fluorine and bromine.

The term “pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts” embraces salts with inorganic and organic acids, such as hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, citric acid, formic acid, fumaric acid, maleic acid, acetic acid, succinic acid, tartaric acid, methane-sulfonic acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid and the like.

One embodiment of the invention are compounds of formula IA

-   wherein -   R¹ is S(O)₂lower alkyl, S(O)₂NR⁴R⁵, S(O)₂cycloalkyl, S-lower alkyl     or S(O)₂-azetidin-1-yl;     -   R⁴ and R⁵ are independently from each other hydrogen, lower         alkyl or (CH₂)₂OCH₃; -   R² is hydrogen or cycloalkyl; -   R³ is methyl or halogen; -   n is 1 or 2; -   X is N, N⁺O⁻ or CH; -   --- the dotted line may be nothing or —CH₂—;     as well as a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, a racemic     mixture, or its corresponding enantiomer and/or optical isomer     and/or stereoisomer thereof, for example the compound -   3,3-dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)-1-(3-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)indolin-2-one.

One embodiment of the invention are compounds of formula IB

-   wherein -   R¹ is S(O)₂lower alkyl, S(O)₂NR⁴R⁵, S(O)₂cycloalkyl, S-lower alkyl     or S(O)₂-azetidin-1-yl;     -   R⁴ and R⁵ are independently from each other hydrogen, lower         alkyl or (CH₂)₂OCH₃; -   R² is hydrogen or cycloalkyl; -   R³ is methyl or halogen; -   n is 1 or 2; -   X is N, N⁺O⁻ or CH; -   --- the dotted line may be nothing or —CH₂—;     as well as a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, a racemic     mixture, or its corresponding enantiomer and/or optical isomer     and/or stereoisomer thereof, for example the compounds -   3,3-dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)-1-(6-(methylsulfonyl)pyrazin-2-yl)indolin-2-one -   3,3-dimethyl-6-(2-methyl-1-oxidopyrimidin-1-ium-5-yl)-1-(6-methylsulfonylpyrazin-2-yl)indol-2-one     or -   3,3-dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)-1-(5-(methylsulfonyl)pyrazin-2-yl)indolin-2-one.

One embodiment of the invention are compounds of formula IC

-   wherein -   R¹ is S(O)₂lower alkyl, S(O)₂NR⁴R⁵, S(O)₂cycloalkyl, S-lower alkyl     or S(O)₂-azetidin-1-yl;     -   R⁴ and R⁵ are independently from each other hydrogen, lower         alkyl or (CH₂)₂OCH₃; -   R² is hydrogen or cycloalkyl; -   R³ is methyl or halogen; -   n is 1 or 2; -   X is N, N⁺O⁻ or CH; -   --- the dotted line may be nothing or —CH₂—;     as well as a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, a racemic     mixture, or its corresponding enantiomer and/or optical isomer     and/or stereoisomer thereof, for example the compound -   3,3-dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)-1-(5-(methylsulfonyl)pyridin-2-yl)indolin-2-one

One embodiment of the invention are compounds of formula ID

-   wherein -   R¹ is S(O)₂lower alkyl, S(O)₂NR⁴R⁵, S(O)₂cycloalkyl, S-lower alkyl     or S(O)₂-azetidin-1-yl;     -   R⁴ and R⁵ are independently from each other hydrogen, lower         alkyl or (CH₂)₂OCH₃; -   R² is hydrogen or cycloalkyl; -   R³ is methyl or halogen; -   n is 1 or 2; -   X is N, N⁺O⁻ or CH; -   --- the dotted line may be nothing or —CH₂—;     as well as a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, a racemic     mixture, or its corresponding enantiomer and/or optical isomer     and/or stereoisomer thereof, for example the compounds -   3,3-dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)-1-(5-(methylsulfonyl)pyridin-3-yl)indolin-2-one -   5-(3,3-dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)-2-oxoindolin-1-yl)-N,N-dimethylpyridine-3-sulfonamide -   1-(5-(isopropylsulfonyl)pyridin-3-yl)-3,3-dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)indolin-2-one -   1-(5-(cyclopropylsulfonyl)pyridin-3-yl)-3,3-dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)indolin-2-one -   3,3-dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)-1-(5-(methylthio)pyridin-3-yl)indolin-2-one -   5-(3,3-dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)-2-oxoindolin-1-yl)pyridine-3-sulfonamide -   1-(5-(azetidin-1-ylsulfonyl)pyridin-3-yl)-3,3-dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)indolin-2-one -   5-(3,3-dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)-2-oxoindolin-1-yl)-N-(2-methoxyethyl)-N-methylpyridine-3-sulfonamide -   5-(3,3-dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)-2-oxoindolin-1-yl)-N-methylpyridine-3-sulfonamide -   1-(6-cyclopropyl-5-(methylsulfonyl)pyridin-3-yl)-3,3-dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)indolin-2-one -   3,3-dimethyl-6-(5-methylpyridin-3-yl)-1-(5-(methylsulfonyl)pyridin-3-yl)indolin-2-one     6-(5-fluoro-6-methylpyridin-3-yl)-3,3-dimethyl-1-(5-(methylsulfonyl)pyridin-3-yl)indolin-2-one     or -   6′-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)-1′-(5-(methylsulfonyl)pyridin-3-yl)spiro[cyclobutane-1,3′-indolin]-2′-one.

A further embodiment of the invention are compounds

-   wherein -   the group A-R¹ may form together with two neighboring carbon atoms     from the group A an additional fused ring, selected from

-   R² is hydrogen; -   R³ is methyl or halogen; -   n is 1 or 2; -   X is N, N⁺O⁻ or CH; -   -- the dotted line may be nothing or —CH₂—;     as well as a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, a racemic     mixture, or its corresponding enantiomer and/or optical isomer     and/or stereoisomer thereof, for example the compounds -   1-(benzo[b]thiophen-6-yl)-3,3-dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)indolin-2-one     or -   1-(benzo[b]thiophen-4-yl)-3,3-dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)indolin-2-one.

The present compounds of formula I and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts can be prepared by methods known in the art, for example, by processes described below, which processes comprise

-   -   a) reacting a compound of formula

with a compound of formula Y-A(R¹)(R²)  4 to a compound of formula

wherein Y is Cl, Br or I and the other groups have the meaning as described above and,

if desired, converting the compounds obtained into pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts;

-   -   b) reacting a compound of formula

with sodium thiomethoxy to a compound of formula

wherein Y¹ is Cl or F and the other groups have the meaning as described above and,

if desired, converting the compounds obtained into pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts;

-   -   c) oxidazing a compound of formula

with meta-chloroperoxybenzoic acid to a compound of formula

wherein the groups have the meaning as described above and,

if desired, converting the compounds obtained into pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts;

The preparation of compounds of formula I of the present invention may be carried out in sequential or convergent synthetic routes. Syntheses of the compounds of the invention are shown in the following schemes. The skills required for carrying out the reaction and purification of the resulting products are known to those skilled in the art. The substituents and indices used in the following description of the processes have the significance given herein before unless indicated to the contrary.

In more detail, the compounds of formula I can be manufactured by the methods given below, by the methods given in the examples or by analogous methods. Appropriate reaction conditions for the individual reaction steps are known to a person skilled in the art. The reaction sequence is not limited to the one displayed in the schemes, however, depending on the starting materials and their respective reactivity the sequence of reaction steps can be freely altered. Starting materials are either commercially available or can be prepared by methods analogous to the methods given below, by methods described in the examples, or by methods known in the art.

Compounds 3 can be prepared from 6-bromo-3,3-dimethylindolin-2-one (WO2014/202493 A1) via a first coupling with boronic acids or esters 2 and a palladium source. Introduction of the second aryl residue (A=substituted phenyls, pyrazines, pyridines and fused rings) can be accomplished by coupling compounds 3 with aryl-halogenides 4 (Y═Cl, Br, I) in the presence of copper(I)iodide, a ligand such as N,N′-dimethylethylendiamine and a base, e.g. potassium carbonate to give compounds of formula Ic.

Coupling of 3 with a substituted aryl residue 5 (Y═Cl, Br, I) can be effected in the presence of copper(I)iodide, a ligand such as N,N′-dimethylethylendiamine and a base, e.g. potassium carbonate. Then displacement of the activated leaving group (Y₁═Cl, F preferentially) with alkylsulfides can generate compounds Ia. A final oxidation with meta-chloroperoxybenzoic acid affords the final compounds Ib.

Compounds of formula Id can be prepared by introduction of the cyclobutyl on methyl 2-(4-bromo-2-nitrophenyl)acetate with 1,3-diiodopropane, followed by internal cyclisation of 9 in presence of iron powder and acetic acid. Compounds 10 can be coupled with boronic acids or esters 2 in the presence of a palladium catalyst, e.g [1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene] dichloropalladium(II) and a base, e.g. sodium carbonate to give arylated compounds 11. Introduction of the aryl residue can be accomplished by coupling compounds 11 with aryl-halogenides 4 (Y═Cl, Br, I) in the presence of copper(I)iodide, a ligand such as N,N′-dimethylethylendiamine and a base, e.g. potassium carbonate to give compounds of formula Id.

Experimental Part

The following examples are provided for illustration of the invention. They should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention, but merely as being representative thereof.

Abbreviations

Boc, t-butyloxycarbonyl;

DIPEA, diisopropylethylamine;

DMAP, dimethylaminopyridine;

DMF, dimethylformamide;

DMSO, dimethylsulfoxide;

EDCI, 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimid;

EtOAc, ethyl acetate;

HOBt, 1-hydroxybenzotriazole;

MeOH, methanol;

NMP, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidon;

PMB, p-methoxybenzyl;

TFA, trifluoroacetic acid;

THF, tetrahydrofuran.

General:

Silica gel chromatography was either performed using cartridges packed with silica gel (ISOLUTE® Columns, TELOS™ Flash Columns) or silica-NH2 gel (TELOS™ Flash NH2 Columns) on ISCO Combi Flash Companion or on glass columns on silica gel 60 (32-60 mesh, 60 Å). MS: Mass spectra (MS) were measured with ion spray positive or negative method on a Perkin-Elmer SCIEX API 300.

EXAMPLE 1 1-(Benzo[b]thiophen-6-yl)-3,3-dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)indolin-2-one

In a reaction tube, 6-bromobenzo[b]thiophene (126 mg, 592 μmol, Eq: 1.5) was added to a suspension of 3,3-dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)indolin-2-one (100 mg, 395 μmol, Eq: 1.00, WO2014/202493 A1) in acetonitrile (3.00 ml). The mixture was treated with a steady stream of nitrogen that was bubbled at 22° C. through the suspension for 10 minutes. Then potassium carbonate (136 mg, 987 μmol, Eq: 2.5) was added followed by copper (I) iodide (7.52 mg, 39.5 μmol, Eq: 0.1) and N,N′-dimethylethylenediamine (6.96 mg, 8.5 μl, 79.0 μmol, Eq: 0.2). The tube was inerted, sealed and the mixture was heated to 100° C. for 20 h. The mixture was treated with 20 ml water (pH 14) and extracted with ethyl acetate (2×20 ml). The organic layers were dried, filtered and evaporated to vacuo.

The residue was purified by chromatography on silica gel to afford the desired product as a light yellow solid (124 mg, 81%). MS (m/z)=386.2 [(M+H)⁺].

EXAMPLE 2 1-(Benzo[b]thiophen-4-yl)-3,3-dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)indolin-2-one

Example 2 was prepared from 3,3-dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)indolin-2-one (from WO2014/202493 A1) with 4-bromobenzo[b]thiophene in analogy to example 1 to give the title compound (5%) as a white solid. MS (m/z)=386.2 [(M+H)⁺].

EXAMPLE 3 3,3-Dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)-1-(5-(methylsulfonyl)pyridin-3-yl)indolin-2-one

In a pressure tube, argon was bubbled through a suspension of 3,3-dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)indolin-2-one (70 mg, 276 μmol, Eq: 1, WO2014/202493 A1), 3-bromo-5-(methylsulfonyl)pyridine (78.3 mg, 332 μmol, Eq: 1.2) and potassium carbonate (76.4 mg, 553 Eq: 2) in acetonitrile (1.11 ml) for 5 minutes. Then N,N′-dimethylethylenediamine (9.74 mg, 11.9 μl, 111 μmol, Eq: 0.4) and copper (I) iodide (10.5 mg, 55.3 μmol, Eq: 0.2) were added, again flused with argon, the tube was sealed and the reaction mixture was heated to 115° C. overnight. The mixture was diluted with dichloromethane.

The residue was purified by chromatography on silica gel to afford the desired product as a light yellow solid (116 mg, 99%). MS (m/z)=409.1 [(M+H)+].

EXAMPLE 4 3,3-Dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)-1-(6-(methylsulfonyl)pyrazin-2-yl)indolin-2-one

a) 1-(6-Chloropyrazin-2-yl)-3,3-dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)indolin-2-one

3,3-Dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)indolin-2-one (3 g, 11.8 mmol, Eq: 1, WO2014/202493 A1), 2-bromo-6-chloropyrazine (2.98 g, 15.4 mmol, Eq: 1.30), copper (I) iodide (226 mg, 1.18 mmol, Eq: 0.10), potassium carbonate (3.27 g, 23.7 mmol, Eq: 2) and trans-N,N-dimethylcyclohexane 1,2-diamine (347 mg, 385 μl, 2.37 mmol, Eq: 0.20) were combined with degassed 1,4-dioxane (30 ml) under inert atmosphere. The reaction mixture was heated to 110° C. and stirred for 20 h. The reaction mixture was poured into saturated sodium bicarbonate and extracted with ethyl acetate (2×). The organic layers were combined and washed with water and brine and finally dried over sodium sulfate then filtered and evaporated in vacuo. The residue was purified by chromatography on silica gel to afford the desired product as a white solid (2 g, 46%). MS (m/z)=366.2 [(M+H)⁺].

b) 3,3-Dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)-1-(6-(methylthio)pyrazin-2-yl)indolin-2-one

Sodium thiomethoxide (192 mg, 2.73 mmol, Eq: 5) and 1-(6-chloropyrazin-2-yl)-3,3-dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)indolin-2-one (200 mg, 547 μmol, Eq: 1) were combined with tetrahydrofuran (10.7 ml). The reaction mixture was stirred for 5 h at room temperature. The organic layers were diluted with ethyl acetate at 0° C. and acidified with 1N hydrochloric acid. The mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate (2×10 ml) and the organic layers were washed with water. The combined organic layers were dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuo.

The residue was purified by chromatography on silica gel to afford the desired product as a yellow solid (183 mg, 88%). MS (m/z)=378.2 [(M+H)⁺].

c) 3,3-Dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)-1-(6-(methylsulfonyl)pyrazin-2-yl)indolin-2-one

3,3-Dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)-1-(6-(methylthio)pyrazin-2-yl)indolin-2-one (172 mg, 456 μmol, Eq: 1) and 3-chloroperoxybenzoic acid (197 mg, 1.14 mmol, Eq: 2.5) were combined with dichloromethane (17.2 ml). The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 4 h. The reaction mixture was diluted with dichloromethane and washed with sodium thiosulfate, saturated sodium bicarbonate and brine. The aqueous layer was washed with dichloromethane. The combined organic layers were dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by chromatography on silica gel to afford the desired product as a light red solid (60 mg, 32%). MS (m/z)=410.2 [(M+H)⁺].

EXAMPLE 5 3,3-Dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)-1-(3-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)indolin-2-one

Example 5 was prepared from 3,3-dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)indolin-2-one (from WO2014/202493 A1) with 1-bromo-3-(methylsulfonyl)benzene in analogy to example 3 to give the title compound (76%) as a white foam. MS (m/z)=408.1 [(M+H)⁺].

EXAMPLE 6 5-(3,3-Dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)-2-oxoindolin-1-yl)-N,N-dimethylpyridine-3-sulfonamide

Example 6 was prepared from 3,3-dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)indolin-2-one (from WO2014/202493 A1) with 5-bromo-N,N-dimethylpyridine-3-sulfonamide in analogy to example 3 to give the title compound (90%) as a light brown solid. MS (m/z)=438.2 [(M+H)⁺].

EXAMPLE 7 1-(5-(Isopropylsulfonyl)pyridin-3-yl)-3,3-dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)indolin-2-one

a) 3-Bromo-5-((4-methoxybenzyl)thio)pyridine

To a suspension of 60% sodium hydride on mineral oil (348 mg, 8.7 mmol, Eq: 1.03) in dry dimethylformamide (28.1 ml) (4-methoxyphenyl)methanethiol (1.46 g, 8.53 mmol, Eq: 1.01) was added dropwise (strong gas evolution, exothermic) and the mixture was stirred for 1 h at room temperature. Then a solution of 3,5-dibromopyridine (2 g, 8.44 mmol, Eq: 1) in dry dimethylformamide (28.1 ml) was added and stirring was continued at room temperature for 3 days. The reaction mixture was diluted with tert-butyl methyl ether and water. The mixture was extracted 2 times with tert-butyl methyl ether and the organic layers were washed 2 times with brine. The combined organic layers were dried with sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuo.

The residue was purified by chromatography on silica gel to afford the desired product as a light yellow oil (1.39 g, 53%). MS (m/z)=309.9/311.9 [(M+H)⁺].

b) 5-Bromopyridine-3-thiol

To 3-Bromo-5-((4-methoxybenzyl)thio)pyridine (1.39 g, 4.48 mmol, Eq: 1) in m-cresol (4.94 g, 4.78 ml, 45.7 mmol, Eq: 10.2) trifluoroacetic acid (5.77 g, 3.9 ml, 50.6 mmol, Eq: 11.3) was added and the mixture was heated to reflux (8 h at 150° C., then 165 h at 160° C.). The majority of m-cresol was evaporated under vacuo (80° C., 1-2 mbar). The residue was diluted with ethyl acetate and 16 ml of 1M sodium carbonate/saturated sodium bicarbonate 1:1. The aqueous layers were washed with ethyl acetate. Then the combined aqueous layers were acidified to pH˜4 using 30 ml of 1M citric acid. The mixture was extracted 2 times with ethyl acetate. The combined organic layers were washed with brine, dried with sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuo to give the title compound (42%) as a yellow solid without further purification.

MS (m/z)=189.9/191.9 [(M+H)⁺].

c) 3-Bromo-5-(isopropylthio)pyridine

To a light yellow suspension of 5-bromopyridine-3-thiol (0.189 g, 994 μmol, Eq: 1) in acetone were added potassium carbonate (275 mg, 1.99 mmol, Eq: 2) and 2-iodopropane (220 mg, 129 μl, 1.29 mmol, Eq: 1.3). The reaction was heated to reflux for 2 h. The reaction was filtered through a glass fibre filter, washed with acetone and the obtained solution concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by chromatography on silica gel to afford the desired product as a colorless oil (170 mg, 73%). MS (m/z)=232.0/234.0 [(M+H)⁺].

d) 3-Bromo-5-(isopropylsulfonyl)pyridine

To a solution of 3-bromo-5-(isopropylthio)pyridine (0.1 g, 431 μmol, Eq: 1) in dichloromethane (2.15 ml) meta-chloroperoxybenzoic acid (212 mg, 948 μmol, Eq: 2.2) was added slowly and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 3 h. The reaction mixture was treated with 2 ml of 10% aqueous sodium sulfite and the mixture was stirred for 30 minutes at room temperature. The reaction mixture was then diluted with dichloromethane and water. The mixture was extracted 3 times with dichloromethane and the organic layers were washed 2 times with 1M aqueous sodium carbonate. The combined organic layers were dried with sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuo.

The residue was purified by chromatography on silica gel to afford the desired product as a white solid (110 mg, 96%). MS (m/z)=264.0/266.0 [(M+H)⁺].

e) 1-(5-(Isopropylsulfonyl)pyridin-3-yl)-3,3-dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)indolin-2-one

Example 7e was prepared from 3,3-dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)indolin-2-one (from WO2014/202493 A1) with 3-bromo-5-(isopropylsulfonyl)pyridine in analogy to example 3 to give the title compound (98%) as a light brown solid. MS (m/z)=437.2 [(M+H)⁺].

EXAMPLE 8 1-(5-(Cyclopropylsulfonyl)pyridin-3-yl)-3,3-dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)indolin-2-one

a) 3-Bromo-5-(cyclopropylthio)pyridine

To a solution of cyclopropyl bromide (290 mg, 192 μl, 2.4 mmol, Eq: 2.85) and 5-bromopyridine-3-thiol (0.16 g, 842 μmol, Eq: 1, Example 7b) in dimethylsulfoxide (990 μl) in a pressure tube potassium tert-butoxide (99.2 mg, 884 μmol, Eq: 1.05) was added. The tube was sealed and the reaction mixture heated to 100° C. overnight. Only partial conversion was obtained, therefore cyclopropyl bromide (306 mg, 202 μl, 2.53 mmol, Eq: 3) and potassium tert-butoxide (94.5 mg, 842 μmol, Eq: 1) were added again and the reaction heated to 120° C. for 3 h. The reaction mixture was diluted with tert-butyl methyl ether and water. The mixture was extracted 2 times with tert-butyl methyl ether and the organic layers were washed 3 times with brine. The combined organic layers were dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuo.

The residue was purified by chromatography on silica gel to afford the desired product as a light yellow oil (49 mg, 25%). MS (m/z)=230.0/232.0 [(M+H)⁺].

b) 3-Bromo-5-(cyclopropylsulfonyl)pyridine

Example 8b was prepared from 3-bromo-5-(cyclopropylthio)pyridine with meta-chloroperoxybenzoic acid in analogy to example 7d to give the title compound (73%) as a white solid. MS (m/z)=262.0/264.0 [(M+H)⁺].

c) 1-(5-(Cyclopropylsulfonyl)pyridin-3-yl)-3,3-dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)indolin-2-one

Example 8c was prepared from 3,3-dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)indolin-2-one (from WO2014/202493 A1) with 3-bromo-5-(cyclopropylsulfonyl)pyridine in analogy to example 3 to give the title compound (96%) as an off-white solid. MS (m/z)=435.2 [(M+H)⁺].

EXAMPLE 9 3,3-Dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)-1-(5-(methylthio)pyridin-3-yl)indolin-2-one

Example 9 was prepared from 3,3-dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)indolin-2-one (from WO2014/202493 A1) with 3-bromo-5-(methylthio)pyridine in analogy to example 3 to give the title compound (71%) as a white solid. MS (m/z)=377.1 [(M+H)⁺].

EXAMPLE 10 5-(3,3-Dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)-2-oxoindolin-1-yl)pyridine-3-sulfonamide

3,3-Dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)indolin-2-one (100 mg, 395 μmol, Eq: 1, WO2014/202493 A1), 5-bromopyridine-3-sulfonamide (122 mg, 513 μmol, Eq: 1.30), copper (I) iodide (7.52 mg, 39.5 μmol, Eq: 0.10), potassium carbonate (109 mg, 790 μmol, Eq: 2.00) and (1R,2R)—N1,N2-dimethylcyclohexane-1,2-diamine (11.6 mg, 12.8 μl, 79 μmol, Eq: 0.20) were combined with degassed dioxane (5.70 ml) under nitrogen. The reaction mixture was heated to 110° C. and stirred for 24 h under inert atmosphere. The mixture was partitioned between ethyl acetate and saturated sodium bicarbonate, and the aqueous layer was extracted with ethyl acetate 2 times. The combined organic phase was washed with water then brine, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuo.

The residue was purified by chromatography on silica gel, followed by preparative HPLC to afford the desired product as a white solid (7 mg, 4%). MS (m/z)=410.1 [(M+H)⁺].

EXAMPLE 11 1-(5-(Azetidin-1-ylsulfonyl)pyridin-3-yl)-3,3-dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)indolin-2-one

a) 3-(Azetidin-1-ylsulfonyl)-5-bromopyridine

5-Bromopyridine-3-sulfonyl chloride (200 mg, 780 μmol, Eq: 1) was combined with pyridine (1 ml). Azetidine (53.4 mg, 53.4 μl, 936 μmol, Eq: 1.20) was added and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 20 h. The reaction mixture was concentrated in vacuo. The residue was poured into water and extracted with ethyl acetate (2×). The organic layers were combined and washed with brine, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuo to afford the desired product as a yellow solid (185 mg, 85%) without further purification.

MS (m/z)=277.1/279.1 [(M+H)⁺].

b) 1-(5-(Azetidin-1-ylsulfonyl)pyridin-3-yl)-3,3-dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)indolin-2-one

Example 11b was prepared from 3,3-dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)indolin-2-one (from WO2014/202493 A1) with 3-(azetidin-1-ylsulfonyl)-5-bromopyridine in analogy to example 10 to give the title compound (84%) as an off-white solid. MS (m/z)=450.4 [(M+H)⁺].

EXAMPLE 12 5-(3,3-dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)-2-oxoindolin-1-yl)-N-(2-methoxyethyl)-N-methylpyridine-3-sulfonamide

a) 5-Bromo-N-(2-methoxyethyl)-N-methylpyridine-3-sulfonamide

Example 12a was prepared from 5-bromopyridine-3-sulfonyl chloride with 2-methoxy-N-methylethanamine in analogy to example 11a to give the title compound (58%) as a yellow oil.

MS (m/z)=309.1/311.1 [(M+H)⁺].

b) 5-(3,3-Dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)-2-oxoindolin-1-yl)-N-(2-methoxyethyl)-N-methylpyridine-3-sulfonamide

Example 12b was prepared from 3,3-dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)indolin-2-one (from WO2014/202493 A1) with 5-bromo-N-(2-methoxyethyl)-N-methylpyridine-3-sulfonamide in analogy to example 10 to give the title compound (89%) as a light brown solid.

MS (m/z)=482.4 [(M+H)⁺].

EXAMPLE 13 5-(3,3-Dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)-2-oxoindolin-1-yl)-N-methylpyridine-3-sulfonamide

Example 13 was prepared from 3,3-dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)indolin-2-one (from WO2014/202493 A1) with 5-bromo-N-methylpyridine-3-sulfonamide in analogy to example 10 to give the title compound (35%) as an off-white solid. MS (m/z)=424.3 [(M+H)⁺].

EXAMPLE 14 1-(6-Cyclopropyl-5-(methylsulfonyl)pyridin-3-yl)-3,3-dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)indolin-2-one

a) 3-Methanesulfonylpyridin-2-amine

To a solution of 3-bromopyridin-2-amine (5 g, 28.9 mmol) in dimethylsulfoxide (50 ml) sodium methanesulfinate (3.836 g, 37.57 mmol), L-proline (0.665 g, 5.78 mmol), sodium hydroxide (0.231 g, 5.78 mmol) were added and purged with argon. Then copper iodide (0.55 g, 2.89 mmol) was added, purged with argon and heated at 160° C. for 60 h. After completion, the reaction mixture was quenched with water (200 ml) and extracted with ethyl acetate (2×200 ml). The combined organic layer was dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated under vacuum.

The residue was purified by chromatography on silica gel to afford the desired product as an off-white solid (3.8 g, 76%). MS (m/z)=173.1 [M+H]+.

b) 5-Bromo-3-methanesulfonylpyridin-2-amine

To a solution of 3-methanesulfonylpyridin-2-amine (5.8 g, 33.68 mmol) in acetonitrile (80 ml) N-bromosuccinimide (6.294 g, 35.36 mmol) was added and stirred at 25° C. for 30 min. After completion, the reaction mixture was concentrated under vacuum, diluted with water (100 ml) and extracted with ethyl acetate (2×100 ml). The combined organic layers were washed with aqueous saturated sodium bicarbonate solution (100 ml), dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated under vacuum.

The residue was purified by chromatography on silica gel to afford the desired product as an off-white solid (6.7 g, 79%).

c) 2,5-Dibromo-3-methanesulfonylpyridine

To a solution of 5-bromo-3-methanesulfonylpyridin-2-amine (5.6 g, 22.30 mmol) in hydrogen bromide (aqueous 47%, 46 ml, 267.62 mmol) bromine (3.7 ml, 71.37 mmol) was added at 0° C. followed by the addition of sodium nitrite (aqueous 40%, 19.2 ml, 111.51 mmol) over 20 min and it was stirred at 0° C. for 1 h. The reaction mixture was then basified (pH˜13) by 50% aqueous sodium hydroxide solution and allowed to warm up to 25° C. over 1 h. Toluene (100 ml) was then added to the reaction mixture, stirred for 30 min and allowed to stand for 16 h. The reaction mixture was separated and the aqueous layer was extracted with ethyl acetate (2×100 ml). The combined organic layer was dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated under vacuum.

The residue was purified by chromatography on silica gel to afford the desired product as an off-white solid (4.32 g, 75%).

d) 5-Bromo-2-cyclopropyl-3-methanesulfonylpyridine

To a solution of 2,5-dibromo-3-methanesulfonylpyridine (1.5 g, 4.76 mmol) in toluene (15 ml) and water (3 ml) tripotassium phosphate (3.033 g, 14.29 mmol) and potassium cyclopropyltrifluoroborate (0.881 g, 5.95 mmol) were added and it was purged with argon. Then tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(0) (0.495 g, 0.43 mmol) was added, purged with argon and heated at 100° C. for 16 h. The reaction mixture was then filtered and concentrated under vacuum.

The residue was purified by chromatography on silica gel to afford the desired product as an off-white solid (681 mg, 71%). MS (m/z)=277.9 [(M+H)⁺].

e) 1-(6-Cyclopropyl-5-(methylsulfonyl)pyridin-3-yl)-3,3-dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)indolin-2-one

Example 14e was prepared from 3,3-dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)indolin-2-one (from WO2014/202493 A1) with 5-bromo-2-cyclopropyl-3-(methylsulfonyl)pyridine in analogy to example 3 to give the title compound (58%) as a white solid. MS (m/z)=449.3 [(M+H)⁺].

EXAMPLE 15 3,3-Dimethyl-6-(2-methyl-1-oxidopyrimidin-1-ium-5-yl)-1-(6-methylsulfonylpyrazin-2-yl)indol-2-one

Example 15 was prepared from 3,3-dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)-1-(6-(methylthio)pyrazin-2-yl)indolin-2-one (Example 4b) with 3-chloroperoxybenzoic acid in analogy to example 4c to give the title compound (25%) as a light grey solid.

MS (m/z)=426.2 [(M+H)⁺].

EXAMPLE 16 3,3-Dimethyl-6-(5-methylpyridin-3-yl)-1-(5-(methylsulfonyl)pyridin-3-yl)indolin-2-one

a) 3,3-Dimethyl-6-(5-methylpyridin-3-yl)indolin-2-one

6-Bromo-3,3-dimethylindolin-2-one (0.2 g, 833 mol, Eq: 1, WO2014/202493 A1) and (5-methylpyridin-3-yl)boronic acid (137 mg, 1000 mol, Eq: 1.2) in dioxane (4.44 ml) and 2M aqueous sodium carbonate (1.11 ml) were flushed with argon. Then [1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene]dichloropalladium (II) (30.5 mg, 41.6 mol, Eq: 0.05) was added, the tube was sealed and the reaction mixture heated to 110° C. for 5 h. The reaction mixture was diluted with dichloromethane.

The residue was purified by chromatography on silica gel to afford the desired product as a brown solid (122 mg, 58%). MS (m/z)=253.2 [(M+H)⁺].

b) 3,3-Dimethyl-6-(5-methylpyridin-3-yl)-1-(5-(methylsulfonyl)pyridin-3-yl)indolin-2-one

Example 16b was prepared from 3,3-dimethyl-6-(5-methylpyridin-3-yl)indolin-2-one with 3-bromo-5-(methylsulfonyl)pyridine in analogy to example 3 to give the title compound (96%) as a light brown solid. MS (m/z)=408.2 [(M+H)⁺].

EXAMPLE 17 6-(5-Fluoro-6-methylpyridin-3-yl)-3,3-dimethyl-1-(5-(methylsulfonyl)pyridin-3-yl)indolin-2-one

a) 6-(5-Fluoro-6-methylpyridin-3-yl)-3,3-dimethylindolin-2-one

Example 17a was prepared from 6-bromo-3,3-dimethylindolin-2-one (WO2014/202493 A1) with (5-fluoro-6-methylpyridin-3-yl)boronic acid in analogy to example 16a to give the title compound (14%) as a brown solid. MS (m/z)=271.2 [(M+H)⁺].

b) 6-(5-Fluoro-6-methylpyridin-3-yl)-3,3-dimethyl-1-(5-(methylsulfonyl)pyridin-3-yl)indolin-2-one

Example 17b was prepared from 6-(5-fluoro-6-methylpyridin-3-yl)-3,3-dimethylindolin-2-one with 3-bromo-5-(methylsulfonyl)pyridine in analogy to example 3 to give the title compound (86%) as a light brown foam. MS (m/z)=426.1 [(M+H)⁺].

EXAMPLE 18 3,3-Dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)-1-(5-(methylsulfonyl)pyrazin-2-yl)indolin-2-one

a) 1-(5-Chloropyrazin-2-yl)-3,3-dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)indolin-2-one

Example 18a was prepared from 3,3-dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)indolin-2-one (WO2014/202493 A1) with 2-bromo-5-chloropyrazine in analogy to example 4a to give the title compound (64%) as a light brown solid. MS (m/z)=366.1 [(M+H)⁺].

b) 3,3-Dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)-1-(5-(methylthio)pyrazin-2-yl)indolin-2-one

Example 18b was prepared from 1-(5-chloropyrazin-2-yl)-3,3-dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)indolin-2-one with Sodium thiomethoxide (at 50° C. for 1 h) in analogy to example 4b to give the title compound (41%) as a yellow solid. MS (m/z)=378.2 [(M+H)⁺].

c) 3,3-Dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)-1-(5-(methylsulfonyl)pyrazin-2-yl)indolin-2-one

Example 18c was prepared from 3,3-dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)-1-(5-(methylthio)pyrazin-2-yl)indolin-2-one with 3-chloroperoxybenzoic acid in analogy to example 4c to give the title compound (41%) as a white solid. MS (m/z)=410.2 [(M+H)⁺].

EXAMPLE 19 3,3-Dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)-1-(5-(methylsulfonyl)pyridin-2-yl)indolin-2-one

Example 19 was prepared from 3,3-dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)indolin-2-one (WO2014/202493 A1) with 2-bromo-5-(methylsulfonyl)pyridine in analogy to example 4a to give the title compound (59%) as a white solid. MS (m/z)=409.2 [(M+H)⁺].

EXAMPLE 20 6′-(2-Methylpyrimidin-5-yl)-1′-(5-(methylsulfonyl)pyridin-3-yl)spiro[cyclobutane-1,3′-indolin]-2′-one

a) Methyl 1-(4-bromo-2-nitrophenyl)cyclobutanecarboxylate

Methyl 2-(4-bromo-2-nitrophenyl)acetate (2 g, 7.3 mmol, Eq: 1) and 1,3-diiodopropane (2.45 g, 956 μl, 8.03 mmol, Eq: 1.10) were combined with dimethylformamide (20 ml) at 0° C. Sodium hydride (1.17 g, 29.2 mmol, Eq: 4.00) was slowly added. The dark blue reaction mixture was heated to room temperature and stirred for 16 h. The reaction mixture was poured into water and extracted with ethyl acetate (3×). The organic layers were combined and washed with brine, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuo.

The residue was purified by chromatography on silica gel to afford the desired product as a brown solid (285 mg, 12%).

b) 6′-Bromospiro[cyclobutane-1,3′-indolin]-2′-one

Methyl 1-(4-bromo-2-nitrophenyl)cyclobutanecarboxylate (285 mg, 907 μmol, Eq: 1) was combined with acetic acid (3 ml). Iron powder (253 mg, 4.54 mmol, Eq: 5.00) was added. The reaction mixture was heated to 100° C. and stirred for 2 h. The reaction mixture was filtered through celite and the filtrate was evaporated.

The residue was purified by chromatography on silica gel to afford the desired product as a brown solid (130 mg, 56%). MS (m/z)=254.1 [M+H]+.

c) 6′-(2-Methylpyrimidin-5-yl)spiro[cyclobutane-1,3′-indolin]-2′-one

6′-Bromospiro[cyclobutane-1,3′-indolin]-2′-one (120 mg, 476 μmol, Eq: 1), 2-methyl-5-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolan-2-yl)pyrimidine (157 mg, 714 μmol, Eq: 1.50) and dichlor(1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene)palladium (II) dichloromethane adduct (19.4 mg, 23.8 μmol, Eq: 0.05) were combined with a degassed solution 2M of sodium carbonate (714 μl, 1.43 mmol, Eq: 3.00) and degassed dioxane (4 ml) under nitrogen atmosphere. The reaction mixture was heated to 110° C. and stirred for 24 h. The reaction mixture was poured into saturated sodium bicarbonate and extracted with ethyl acetate (3×). The organic layers were combined and washed with brine, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuo.

The residue was purified by chromatography on silica gel to afford the desired product as a light brown solid (100 mg, 79%). MS (m/z)=266.2 [M+H]+.

d) 6′-(2-Methylpyrimidin-5-yl)-1′-(5-(methyl sulfonyl)pyri din-3-yl)spiro[cyclobutane-1,3′-indolin]-2′-one

Example 20d was prepared from 6′-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)spiro[cyclobutane-1,3′-indolin]-2′-one with 3-bromo-5-(methylsulfonyl)pyridine in analogy to example 4a to give the title compound (85%) as a light brown solid. MS (m/z)=421.2 [(M+H)⁺].

Biological Assays and Data

Now it has been found that the compounds of formula I may be used for the treatment of CNS diseases.

The described compounds of formula I reduce L-687,414-induced hyperlocomotion. This was assessed by using a computerized Digiscan 16 Animal Activity Monitoring System (Omnitech Electronics, Columbus, Ohio) to quantify locomotor activity. Animals were kept under a 12 h light/dark cycle and experiments were performed during the light period. Each activity monitoring chamber consisted of a Plexiglas box (41×41×28 cm; W×L×H) with sawdust bedding on the floor surrounded by invisible horizontal and vertical infrared sensor beams. The test boxes were divided by a Plexiglas cross providing each mouse with 20×20 cm of moving space. Cages were connected to a Digiscan Analyzer linked to a computer that constantly collected the beam status information. Records of photocell beam interruptions for individual animals were taken every 5 min over the duration of the experimental session and the sum of the first 6 periods was used as the final parameter. At least 8 mice were used in each treatment group. Compounds were administered i.p. 15 min before a s.c. injection of 50 mg/kg of L-687,414. Mice were then transferred from their home cage to the recording chambers for a 15-min habituation phase allowing free exploration of the new environment. Horizontal activity was then recorded for a 30-min time period. The % inhibition of L-687,414-induced hyperlocomotion was calculated according to the equation: ((Veh+L-687,414horizontal activity−drug+L-687,414horizontal activity)/Veh+L-687,414horizontal activity)×100

ID₅₀ values, defined as doses of each compound producing 50% inhibition of L-687,414-induced hyperlocomotion, were calculated by linear regression analysis of a dose-response data using an Excel-based computer-fitting program.

As data was not presupposed to be normally distributed, groups treated with test compounds were statistically compared with the control (vehicle-treated) group using one-tailed Mann Whitney U tests. In statistics, the Mann-Whitney U test (also called the Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon (MWW) or Wilcoxon rank-sum test) is a non-parametric statistical hypothesis test for assessing whether one of two samples of independent observations tends to have larger values than the other. It is one of the most well-known non-parametric significance tests. A p value gives the probability that two groups are significantly different from each other and the value of <0.05 is generally accepted as a criterion, it implies that there is >95% chance that two groups are really different from each other. P values given in table 1 are one-tailed since only decreases in locomotion were expected and tested for (Mann, H. B., Whitney, D. R. (1947), “On a Test of Whether one of Two Random Variables is Stochastically Larger than the Other”, Annals of Mathematical Statistics, 18 (1), 50-60).

Determination of Adenosine Transport Activity

To measure adenosine transport activity of ENT-1 mammalian cells, stable cells expressing the mouse ENT-1 transporter were plated on day 1 in 96-well culture plates at the density of 60,000 cells/well, in complete DMEM/F12 medium supplemented with glutamax, 10% FBS and 10 μg/ml puromycin. On day 2, the medium was aspirated and the cells were washed twice with uptake buffer (10 mM Hepes-Tris, pH 7.4 containing 150 mM NaCl, 1 mM

CaCl₂, 2.5 mM KCl, 2.5 mM MgSO₄, 10 mM D-glucose) (UB). For inhibition experiments, cells were then incubated at RT with various concentrations of compounds with 1% DMSO final. Non-specific uptake was defined in the presence of 10 μM S-(4-Nitrobenzyl)-6-thioinosine (NBTI, Sigma Cat #N2255).

A solution containing [2,8-³H]-adenosine 6 nM (40 Ci/mmol, American Radiolabeled chemicals Inc, Cat #ART 0287A) was then immediately added to the wells. The plates were then incubated for 20 min with gentle shaking and the reaction was stopped by aspiration of the mixture and washing (three times) with ice-cold UB. The cells were lysed by the addition of scintillation liquid, shaken 3 hours and the radioactivity in the cells was estimated using a microplates scintillation counter (TopCount NXT, Packard).

TABLE 1 Effects of compounds of formula I on ENT1 inhibition ENT1, adenosine uptake, Expl. structure IC50 (uM) 1

0.1888 2

0.8440 3

0.0321 4

0.0401 5

0.1064 6

0.0449 7

0.1353 8

0.0400 9

0.2181 10

0.1282 11

0.1688 12

0.0793 13

0.0717 14

0.0385 15

0.2185 16

0.3126 17

0.0270 18

0.0270 19

0.1570 20

0.2305

TABLE 2 Effects of compounds on L-687,414-induced hyperlocomotion L-687,414-induced hyperlocomotion Dose ip Inhibition, ip Example [mg/kg] [%] P value 3 30 ip 92.8 0.00016 5 30 ip 96 0.00008 19 30 ip 93.5 0.00016

As mentioned above, some compounds have been tested in SmartCube®, an analytical system developed by PsychoGenics Inc.

SmartCube® was used to compare the behavioral signature of a test compound to a database of behavioral signatures obtained from a large set of clinically approved reference drugs, grouped per indications. In this way, the neuro-pharmacological effects of a test compound can be predicted by similarity to major classes of compounds, such as antipsychotics, anxiolytics and antidepressants. This approach is ideally suited to screen collections of existing drugs or drug candidates with previously unknown neuropharmacology, which could expedite the development of new and unexpected treatments for psychiatric disorders.

Some compounds of the present invention were injected i.p. at different doses 15 minutes before the test. At least 8 mice were used in each treatment group. Digital videos of the subjects were processed with computer vision algorithms to extract over 2000 dependent measures including frequency and duration of many different behavioral states. The results of the classifications are presented as bar charts for each compound and dose (mg/kg), the Y-axis indicates the relative probability that the test compound will show efficacy in the specific CNS indication.

Compounds of the present invention show similar signatures to those of atypical antipsychotics. An independent analysis was performed on the unclassified data to determine the similarity of the example compounds to active doses of known atypical antipsychotics. For this analysis, we use discrimination rate as the measure of separability between the two drugs, i.e. one drug's “distinguishability” from another. A rate equal to 50% (or 0.5) corresponds to zero distinguishability. Empirical data has shown that a threshold rate for reliable separation lies above 70% i.e., two drugs showing a discrimination rate of 70% or lower are considered similar, whereas a discrimination rate higher than 70% indicates that two drugs are dissimilar. The table below shows the similarity analysis of selected compounds of the present invention to several atypical antipsychotics. In most cases, the example compounds show a similarity to risperidone, clozapine and olanzapine with a discrimination rate of ≤0.70.

TABLE 3 Similarity analysis of compounds of formula I showing effects in SmartCube ® Clozapine Olanzapine Risperidone Example (1.0 mg/kg) (0.25 mg/kg) (0.06 mg/kg) 3 (3 mg/kg) 0.58 0.60 0.67 5 (5 mg/kg) 0.55 0.54 0.52 19 (5 mg/kg)  0.54 0.52 0.50 Therefore, it can be assumed that the present compounds have similar efficacies as known atypical antipsychotics.

The compounds of formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof can be used as medicaments, e.g. in the form of pharmaceutical preparations. The pharmaceutical preparations can be administered orally, e.g. in the form of tablets, coated tablets, dragées, hard and soft gelatine capsules, solutions, emulsions or suspensions. However, the administration can also be effected rectally, e.g. in the form of suppositories, or parenterally, e.g. in the form of injection solutions.

The compounds of formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof can be processed with pharmaceutically inert, inorganic or organic carriers for the production of pharmaceutical preparations. Lactose, corn starch or derivatives thereof, talc, stearic acid or its salts and the like can be used, for example, as such carriers for tablets, coated tablets, dragées and hard gelatine capsules. Suitable carriers for soft gelatine capsules are, for example, vegetable oils, waxes, fats, semi-solid and liquid polyols and the like; depending on the nature of the active substance no carriers are, however, usually required in the case of soft gelatine capsules. Suitable carriers for the production of solutions and syrups are, for example, water, polyols, sucrose, invert sugar, glucose and the like. Adjuvants, such as alcohols, polyols, glycerol, vegetable oils and the like, can be used for aqueous injection solutions of water-soluble salts of compounds of formula (I), but as a rule are not necessary. Suitable carriers for suppositories are, for example, natural or hardened oils, waxes, fats, semi-liquid or liquid polyols and the like.

In addition, the pharmaceutical preparations can contain preservatives, solubilizers, stabilizers, wetting agents, emulsifiers, sweeteners, colorants, flavorants, salts for varying the osmotic pressure, buffers, masking agents or antioxidants. They can also contain still other therapeutically valuable substances.

As mentioned earlier, medicaments containing a compound of formula (I) or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and a therapeutically inert excipient are also an object of the present invention, as is a process for the production of such medicaments which comprises bringing one or more compounds of formula I or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and, if desired, one or more other therapeutically valuable substances into a galenical dosage form together with one or more therapeutically inert carriers. The active compounds may also be used in form of their prodrugs.

As further mentioned earlier, the use of the compounds of formula (I) for the preparation of medicaments useful in the prevention and/or the treatment of the above recited diseases is also an object of the present invention.

The dosage can vary within wide limits and will, of course, be fitted to the individual requirements in each particular case. In general, the effective dosage for oral or parenteral administration is between 0.01-20 mg/kg/day, with a dosage of 0.1-10 mg/kg/day being preferred for all of the indications described. The daily dosage for an adult person weighing 70 kg accordingly lies between 0.7-1400 mg per day, preferably between 7 and 700 mg per day.

Preparation of Pharmaceutical Compositions Comprising Compounds of the Invention:

Tablets of the following composition are manufactured in the usual manner:

mg/tablet ingredient 5 25 100 500 Compound of formula I 5 25 100 500 Lactose Anhydrous DTG 125 105 30 150 Sta-Rx 1500 6 6 6 60 Microcrystalline Cellulose 30 30 30 450 Magnesium Stearate 1 1 1 1 Total 167 167 167 831

Manufacturing Procedure

1. Mix ingredients 1, 2, 3 and 4 and granulate with purified water.

2. Dry the granules at 50° C.

3. Pass the granules through suitable milling equipment.

4. Add ingredient 5 and mix for three minutes; compress on a suitable press.

Capsules of the following composition are manufactured:

mg/capsule ingredient 5 25 100 500 Compound of formula I 5 25 100 500 Hydrous Lactose 159 123 148 — Corn Starch 25 35 40 70 Talk 10 15 10 25 Magnesium Stearate 1 2 2 5 Total 200 200 300 600

Manufacturing Procedure

1. Mix ingredients 1, 2 and 3 in a suitable mixer for 30 minutes.

2. Add ingredients 4 and 5 and mix for 3 minutes.

3. Fill into a suitable capsule.

A compound of formula I lactose and corn starch are firstly mixed in a mixer and then in a comminuting machine. The mixture is returned to the mixer; the talc is added thereto and mixed thoroughly. The mixture is filled by machine into suitable capsules, e.g. hard gelatin capsules.

Injection solutions of the following composition are manufactured:

ingredient mg/injection solution. Compound of formula I  3 Polyethylene Glycol 400 150 acetic acid q.s. ad pH 5.0 water for injection solutions ad 1.0 ml

Manufacturing Procedure

A compound of formula I is dissolved in a mixture of Polyethylene Glycol 400 and water for injection (part). The pH is adjusted to 5.0 by acetic acid. The volume is adjusted to 1.0 ml by addition of the residual amount of water. The solution is filtered, filled into vials using an appropriate overage and sterilized. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A compound of formula I

wherein A is phenyl or a six membered heteroaryl group, containing one or two N atoms, selected from

R¹ is S(O)₂lower alkyl, S(O)₂NR⁴R⁵, S(O)₂cycloalkyl, S-lower alkyl or S(O)₂-azetidin-1-yl; R⁴ and R⁵ are independently selected from hydrogen, lower alkyl or (CH₂)₂OCH₃; or the group A-R′ may form together with two neighboring carbon atoms from the group A an additional fused ring, selected from

R² is hydrogen or cycloalkyl; R³ is methyl or halogen; n is 1 or 2; X is N, N⁺O⁻ or CH; and --- the dotted line may be nothing or CH₂—; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 2. A compound of formula IA according to claim 1

wherein R¹ is S(O)₂lower alkyl, S(O)₂NR⁴R⁵, S(O)₂cycloalkyl, S-lower alkyl or S(O)₂-azetidin-1-yl; R⁴ and R⁵ are independently selected from hydrogen, lower alkyl or (CH₂)₂OCH₃; R² is hydrogen or cycloalkyl; R³ is methyl or halogen; n is 1 or 2; X is N, N⁺O⁻ or CH; and --- the dotted line may be nothing or CH₂—; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 3. A compound of formula IA according to claim 2, which compound is 3,3-dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)-1-(3-(methylsulfonyephenyl)indolin-2-one, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 4. A compound of formula TB according to claim 1,

wherein R¹ is S(O)₂lower alkyl, S(O)₂NR⁴R⁵, S(O)₂cycloalkyl, S-lower alkyl or S(O)₂-azetidin-1-yl; R⁴ and R⁵ are independently selected from hydrogen, lower alkyl or (CH₂)₂OCH₃; R² is hydrogen or cycloalkyl; R³ is methyl or halogen; n is 1 or 2; X is N, N⁺O⁻ or CH; and --- the dotted line may be nothing or —CH₂—; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 5. A compound of formula m according to claim 4, which compound is: 3,3-dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)-1-(6-(methylsulfonyl)pyrazin-2-yl)indolin-2-one; 3,3-dimethyl-6-(2-methyl-1-oxidopyrimidin-1-ium-5-yl)-1-(6-methylsulfonylpyrazin-2-yl)indol-2-one; or 3,3-dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)-1-(5-(methylsulfonyl)pyrazin-2-yl)indolin-2-one, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 6. A compound of formula IC according to claim 1

wherein R¹ is S(O)₂lower alkyl, S(O)₂NR⁴R⁵, S(O)₂cycloalkyl, S-lower alkyl or S(O)₂-azetidin-1-yl; R⁴ and R⁵ are independently selected from hydrogen, lower alkyl or (CH₂)₂OCH₃; R² is hydrogen or cycloalkyl; R³ is methyl or halogen; n is 1 or 2; X is N, N⁺O⁻ or CH; and --- the dotted line may be nothing or —CH₂—; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 7. A compound of formula IC according to claim 6, which compound is 3,3-dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)-1-(5-(methylsulfonyl)pyridin-2-yl)indolin-2-one, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 8. A compound of formula ID according to claim 1,

wherein R¹ is S(O)₂lower alkyl, S(O)₂NR⁴R⁵, S(O)₂cycloalkyl, S-lower alkyl or S(O)₂-azetidin-1-yl; R⁴ and R⁵ are independently selected from hydrogen, lower alkyl or (CH₂)₂OCH₃; R² is hydrogen or cycloalkyl; R³ is methyl or halogen; n is 1 or 2; X is N, N⁺O⁻ or CH; and --- the dotted line may be nothing or —CH₂—; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 9. A compound of formula ID according to claim 8, which compound is: 3,3-dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)-1-(5-(methylsulfonyl)pyridin-3-yl)indolin-2-one; 5-(3,3-dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)-2-oxoindolin-1-yl)-N,N-dimethylpyridine-3-sulfonamide; 1-(5-(isopropylsulfonyl)pyridin-3-yl)-3,3-dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)indolin-2-one; 1-(5-(cyclopropylsulfonyl)pyridin-3-yl)-3,3-dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)indolin-2-one; 3,3-dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)-1-(5-(methylthio)pyridin-3-yl)indolin-2-one; 5-(3,3-dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)-2-oxoindolin-1-yl)pyridine-3-sulfonamide; 1-(5-(azetidin-1-ylsulfonyl)pyridin-3-yl)-3,3-dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)indolin-2-one; 5-(3,3-dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)-2-oxoindolin-1-yl)-N-(2-methoxyethyl)-N-methylpyridine-3-sulfonamide; 5-(3,3-dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)-2-oxoindolin-1-yl)-N-methylpyridine-3-sulfonamide; 1-(6-cyclopropyl-5-(methylsulfonyl)pyridin-3-yl)-3,3-dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)indolin-2-one; 3,3-dimethyl-6-(5-methylpyridin-3-yl)-1-(5-(methylsulfonyl)pyridin-3-yl)indolin-2-one; 6-(5-fluoro-6-methylpyridin-3-yl)-3,3-dimethyl-1-(5-(methylsulfonyl)pyridin-3-yl)indolin-2-one; or 6′-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)-1′-(5-(methylsulfonyl)pyridin-3-yl)spiro[cyclobutane-1,3′-indolin]-2′-one, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 10. A compound of formula IE according to claim 1

wherein the group A-R¹ may form together with two neighboring carbon atoms from the group A an additional fused ring, selected from

R² is hydrogen; R³ is methyl or halogen; n is 1 or 2; X is N, N⁺O⁻ or CH; and --- the dotted line may be nothing or —CH₂—; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 11. A compound of formula I h according to claim 10, which compound is: 1-(benzo[b]thiophen-6-yl)-3,3-dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)indolin-2-one; or 1-(benzo thiophen-4-yl)-3,3-dimethyl-6-(2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl)indolin-2-one, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. 